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3 thoughts on “The Health Edge: Coffee Consumption and Health”

Many thanks for all the great info! I have the follow-up questions below. As always, any references to your own practices “where the rubber meets the road” will be especially helpful.

Can you give any guidance about how to source coffee beans grown organically at altitude and that are water-washed, not sun-dried?

What do you advise regarding buying whole beans vs. grinding beans oneself. If the latter, how often should one grind and, if not with every cup, how should one store the ground beans?

You are negative about the caffeine extraction process if it uses chemical solvents and not just water. I surmise, but would appreciate your confirmation, that you’re also negative about decaf because some of the phytonutrients that result in the health benefits are lost in the process. Are there circumstances in which you recommend de-caf (such as within X hours of bedtime)?

Does drinking coffee impact blood pressure?

On a different note, I don’t use iTunes and have not yet mastered how to give a thumbs up on that venue, but I’m working on it. Recently I went into an Apple Store and discussed what steps I need to take to accomplish this, which are daunting but I will get this accomplished!

I meant to ask one more question. The Heavy Metals Part 2 podcast had referenced cadmium levels in cacao powder. I did some reading after hearing that podcast and saw the following statement at http://www.naturalnews.com/045545_cacao_powder_cadmium_lab_testing_results.html: “People who also drink coffee, eat sunflower seeds or smoke cigarettes should be especially cautious about consuming cacao powder because all these items tend to have high cadmium.” Is the cadmium in coffee a concern, either on its own or in combination with that from other food sources?

DEANS BEANS AND BULLETPROOF COFFEE ARE TWO EXAMPLES OF COMPANIES THAT ADDRESS THESE QUALITY ISSUES. IN MY EXPERIENCE, IF A GROWER/PRODUCER DOES NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS, IT IS REASON TO SUSPECT THAT THE DETAILS MIGHT NOT MEAN THAT MUCH TO THEM.

WHOLE BEANS ARE BETTER AND GRINDING TEM JUST PRIOR TO BREWING IS BEST.

THIS IS CORRECT. IN GENERAL, DECAF OFFERS VERY LITTLE HEALTH BENEFITS EVEN IF WATER EXTRACTED, IT GOES FROM BENIGN TO POSSIBLY A RISK IF CHEMICALS COME INTO THE PROCESS. I THINK THAT SLEEP IS THE VARIABLE THAT WOULD WARRANT IT OR SOME NATURALLY NON-CAFFEINATED TEA?

IN LESS THAN 2% OF THE POPULATION. HEART RATE, YES OF COURSE, BUT GENERALLY NOT BLOOD PRESSURE.